The global cereal giant Kellogg has committed to sourcing palm oil that is deforestation-free. It will also ensure that carbon rich tropical peatlands are preserved.

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Kellogg has released a commitment to sourcing palm oil that does not cause deforestation.

"As a socially responsible company, traceable, transparent sourcing of palm oil is important to us", said Diane Holdorf, Kellogg Company Chief Sustainability Officer."We are collaborating with our suppliers to make sure the palm oil we use is not associated with deforestation, climate change or the violation of human rights."

To achieve its goals, Kellogg will require all global palm oil suppliers to trace palm oil to plantations that are independently verified as legally compliant; adherent to the company's principles for protecting forests, peat lands, and communities; and compliant with all Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) principles and criteria.

Suppliers must comply with the requirement by the end of 2015, or be working to close any gaps identified in their action plans.

An important step

The Union of Concerned Scientists welcomed the move: "Kellogg's announcement is a step in the right direction, especially after the company was harangued in 2012 for not working with two Girl Scouts who were working towards deforestation-free Girl Scout Cookies."

Palm oil is used in everything from food and fuel to beauty products and cleaning agents. The demand for palm oil has risen dramatically. Such increases in demand are driving increases in deforestation.

Ten percent of all global warming emissions result from deforestation. This practice also destroys irreplaceable forests that are home to endangered species and a resource for forest-dependent communities.